As Mu Qi felt like he was suffocating from the pain, a touch of warmth suddenly came from between his brows.
Mu Qi’s eyes snapped open. Not seeing Yun Shu Nian, panic filled his phoenix eyes, and he instinctively sat up, calling for Yun Shu Nian’s voice.
“Mmm~ Mu Qi, where are you going?”
Yun Shu Nian let out a soft hum, tightening her arms around Mu Qi even more.
Only then did Mu Qi realize that he couldn't see Yun Shu Nian because her forehead was pressed against his chin, and one of her hands was resting on his forehead.
Mu Qi let out a soft sigh and slowly lay back down, then turned and embraced Yun Shu Nian fully.
“Nowhere,” Mu Qi stroked Yun Shu Nian’s head, closed his eyes, and only the frantic thumping of his heart revealed his unease.
Who was Zhao Xue?
The bright moonlight gradually hid behind dark, oppressive clouds.
At the same time, in country L, far from the capital, the sun was slowly rising.
“Miss Ling, it’s dangerous outside. You’d best stay in the castle.”
Ling Xue and the butler stood at the main entrance, facing each other.
“Does Mu Qi really intend to imprison me here forever?” Ling Xue questioned the butler, cracks appearing on her icy face.
“Miss Ling, you misunderstand. There’s a war going on outside. The young master and I are only looking out for Miss Ling’s safety.”
The butler’s face looked worried, and his words were sincere.
“If Ling Xue hadn’t just seen travel guides for the tourist destination, country L, a few days ago, she might actually believe this butler spouting nonsense.”
Ling Xue paced back and forth at the main entrance, agitated, while the butler stood by the door with his head slightly bowed, maintaining a respectful posture.
This scene made it look like an ill-behaved young lady and a diligent butler, and anyone watching would shake their heads and sigh about the young lady’s lack of sense.
There were very few things in the world that Ling Xue couldn’t handle, but she just couldn’t outmaneuver Mu Qi.
If it weren’t for Mu Qi, she would never have been brought here like this.
If it weren’t for Mu Qi, she wouldn’t have been unable to find any loopholes among these butlers and maids.
If Ling Xue had still held some hope of escaping when she was first brought here, then now, she was left with only a sliver of despair from which she couldn't break free.
“Miss Ling, breakfast is ready. We can go and dine.”
A moment later, the butler saw the maid preparing breakfast give him an okay gesture. The butler understood immediately.
“I won’t eat!” Ling Xue anxiously protested to the butler.
As Ling Xue spoke, the butler’s expression remained unchanged, still maintaining his respectful demeanor.
“Very well, all daily routines will follow Miss’s wishes.”
In other words, it wasn’t his concern if she starved to death.
Ling Xue understood the butler’s true meaning almost instantly.
Ling Xue laughed in anger. After a moment, she shuffled in her slippers and stomped towards the dining table.
Pickled radishes, pickled cabbage, millet porridge, and steamed buns?
What kind of breakfast was this from which era?
“Is this how your Mu family treats guests?” Ling Xue slammed down her chopsticks and looked up to question the butler.
“Miss Ling, you might not be aware. Country L is in a state of war, and food is scarce.
We searched every street and alley, and this is all we could find.”
The butler’s tone suddenly became a little choked, sounding almost tearful.
“War? Food scarcity?” Are you even listening to yourself?
“Look up the current situation in country L online for me and show me how there’s a war and food scarcity.” Ling Xue’s tone was icy, her teeth clenched.
“Miss, due to the war, all the base stations have been bombed. Even if we had phones, they’d be useless. Besides, we don’t have such things as mobile phones.”
The butler’s face was filled with sorrow, as if he were speaking the truth.
After the butler finished speaking, Ling Xue had already become numb with anger.
A moment later, Ling Xue looked at the food on the table and then turned to the butler with a raised eyebrow.
“In that case, I, out of my great compassion, invite you to dine with me.”
“Miss Ling, food is scarce here. The maids and I have already had breakfast. Please enjoy these yourself.”
The butler’s reaction was quick, and he immediately replied to Ling Xue.
“No, I don’t have much of an appetite eating alone. Since the butler is considering me so much, can’t you join me for breakfast?”
Ling Xue pressed on.
The butler paused for a moment, then actually walked over. “Alright then, Miss Ling, I will join you for breakfast.”
Seeing the butler sit opposite her, Ling Xue’s anger, which had been ignited early this morning by the butler, finally subsided a little.
Ling Xue hadn’t eaten much since being brought here yesterday, and by now, she was so hungry her stomach was sticking to her back.
In a short while, Ling Xue finished the two steamed buns on her plate.
After finishing the last sip of millet porridge, Ling Xue took a satisfied deep breath.
“Butler, why aren’t you eating?” After finishing, Ling Xue looked up and realized that the butler had only picked up his chopsticks, but hadn't touched any food.
Ling Xue narrowed her eyes, staring at the old fox in front of her. The old fox seemed not to notice Ling Xue’s gaze and calmly placed his chopsticks back on the table.
“Miss Ling, food is scarce now. I’m considering the future.”
“Then what about the rest of this? Are you going to eat it?”
Ling Xue glanced at the pickled radishes and pickled cabbage on the table, then looked up at the butler with sharp eyes.
“Miss Ling, please don’t worry. These pickled vegetables won’t spoil easily, so you can continue to eat them for lunch and dinner today.”
A rare smile flickered across Butler Uncle’s face.
The old maid, who had always admired Butler Uncle greatly, looked at him nodding, her eyes sparkling.
“Elegant, he’s so elegant…”
-------------------------------------
“Mu Qi, what time is it?”
“Seven thirty.”
In the early morning, not hearing Mu Qi call her, Yun Shu Nian subconsciously felt uneasy and woke up on her own.
“Mu Qi, why didn’t you wake me this morning?” Seeing Mu Qi beside her, Yun Shu Nian stretched lazily.
“Isn’t it better to sleep a little longer?” Mu Qi stroked Yun Shu Nian’s head.
Yun Shu Nian replied languidly, “Yes.”